Hagan’s Election-Year Doublespeak On Energy Policy | Eastern North Carolina Now

Press Release:

    Raleigh, N.C.     What are Kay Hagan's positions on energy issues? It depends on the audience and whether or not it's an election year.

    One minute, Hagan panders to a far-left environmental group supporting her campaign, then turns around and tries to hide her fringe, job-killing energy record from North Carolina voters in the next.

    On Tuesday, Hagan spoke at an event for the League of Conservation Voters (LCV), a left-wing special interest group that endorsed her campaign last week. The LCV's extreme agenda includes opposing the construction of the Keystone Pipeline, opposing offshore oil drilling, supporting a cap and trade tax and implementing EPA regulations that would destroy jobs and cause energy prices to soar.

    During the speech, Hagan called for immediate action on climate change, pledging to "stand up to obstructionist efforts."

    "'We must work together to fight climate change and I will continue to stand up to obstructionist efforts to undermine that work,' Hagan said in her speech." (John Frank, "Morning Memo: Kay Hagan adds name to push to delay EPA rules," Raleigh News & Observer, 5/28/14)

    But minutes later, when pressed by the Raleigh News & Observer for specifics, Hagan refused to detail how she would address climate change.

    "Pressed three times to describe the urgency of the climate change issue, Hagan finally allowed: 'I think we've definitely got to be concerned about it, that we need to take action. I think we've also got to understand and look into the impact that certain actions would have on families and middle class families in North Carolina.' She declined to offer specifics about what policies she would support to address climate change." (John Frank, Hagan blasts Tillis on the environment, Raleigh News & Observer, 5/27/14)

    During her LCV speech, Hagan also talked about her liberal energy positions, including her support for job-killing EPA regulations that cap greenhouse gases.

    "...I know the EPA's ability to regulate greenhouse gas emissions is key to protecting our environment for future generations." (Cullen Browder, "Hagan comes out swinging against Tillis," WRAL, 5/28/14)

    Once again, Hagan is trying to have it both ways. Last week, Hagan wrote a vague letter calling for a delay of the EPA's new cap on carbon emissions, but was worded in a way that signals she actually does support the regulation in question.

    That explains why Hagan refused to co-sign a bipartisan letter signed by 45 Senators, including 15 Democrats, which also called for the delay of the EPA regulation. Hagan's letter is drastically different in tone and scope in comparison. Hagan neglects to mention the regulation's damaging impact on jobs or electricity prices, instead writing that more time is needed for "diverse viewpoints to be shared," code that Hagan does support the regulation but wants to look moderate in an election year by calling for a delay.

    The choice in North Carolina's Senate race could not be clearer. Thom Tillis supports an all the above approach to putting America on a path to energy independence, which includes building the Keystone XL Pipeline, expanding domestic energy production, and promoting development of alternative energy. As Speaker, Tillis led the passage of a historic tax relief package that capped the state's gas tax, and has also led the way on expanding energy production in North Carolina.

    "Regardless of Kay Hagan's election-year doublespeak on energy polices, her failed voting record makes it clear that she sides with the left-wing special interest groups that support her campaign, even at the cost of destroying jobs and causing energy prices to skyrocket," said Tillis for U.S. Senate campaign manager Jordan Shaw. "Whether it's job-killing regulations from the EPA, refusing to expand energy exploration that would reduce energy costs, or attempting to implement a devastating cap and trade tax, the Obama-Hagan energy agenda is a disaster for America's economy. It's no surprise that the price of gas has more than doubled since Kay Hagan and President Obama took office thanks to their failed and reckless policies."

    BACKGROUND: Despite Hagan's Doublespeak, Her Failed Energy Record Speaks For Itself.

    Hagan Endorsed A Cap And Trade Tax During Her 2008 Senate Campaign. "The bill, known as the Climate Security Act, includes provisions for a variety of special interests, from job-training funds for renewable energy workers to funding for green buildings. At its heart, though, the bill is a basic cap-and-trade system for energy companies that emit greenhouse gases...state Sen. Kay Hagan of Greensboro, supports the bill, which her spokeswoman said fit Hagan's energy plan offered this spring." (Barbara Barrett, "Climate Bill Has Unlikely Ally," Charlotte Observer, 6/6/08)

    Hagan Has Repeatedly Voted Against Expanding Offshore Oil Drilling. "To provide for an extension of the Draft Proposed Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program 2010-2015." (S.Amdt. 1535 to S. 1813, CQ Vote #28: Rejected 43-55: R: 40-5; D: 3-48; I 0-2, 3/8/12, Hagan Voted Nay)

    Hagan Voted Against A Commonsense Amendment That Would Have Blocked The EPA From Regulating Carbon Dioxide, Putting Her At Odds With Moderate Democrats. "McConnell, R-Ky., amendment no. 183 that would block the EPA from regulating carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act." (S. 493, CQ Vote #54: Rejected 50-50: R 46-1; D 4-47; I 0-2, 4/6/11, Hagan Voted Nay)

    Contact: Jordan Shaw